CCleaner Review 2026: Pros, Cons, Safety & Pricing

CCleaner is a Windows, macOS, and Android maintenance tool that removes junk files, clears browser history and cookies, manages startup programs, and cleans the Windows registry. Piriform launched it in 2004, and it remains one of the most downloaded PC cleaners worldwide. We tested the current build, version 7.08.1355, to see whether it still earns that reputation in 2026.

This review covers what CCleaner does, how its tiers differ, what it costs, and whether the 2017 incident still matters, plus how it compares to BleachBit and CleanMyPC.

CCleaner at a Glance (Quick Verdict + Rating)

CCleaner does the job it promises. The Free tier clears junk files quickly, the interface stays simple, and Health Check gives newcomers a one-click cleanup. The Professional upsells are aggressive, though, and the 2017 history means safety deserves a look.

What Is CCleaner and What Does It Do?

CCleaner is a system cleanup utility developed by Piriform, which Avast acquired in July 2017 and is now part of Gen Digital. Its purpose is simple: free up disk space and clear the small files that pile up as you use your PC.

The program scans temporary files, browser caches, cookies, history, log files, and the recycle bin, then removes what you approve. It also cleans the Windows registry, manages which programs launch at boot, and includes tools for wiping drives and uninstalling software. CCleaner runs on Windows, macOS, and Android, though the Windows version is the most complete.

CCleaner Features

CCleaner packs more into its toolbox than its reputation suggests. We grouped the features the way the app organizes them.

Cleaner, Registry & Browser Cleanup

The Cleaner tab is the heart of the program. It scans Windows system files and your installed applications, then lists how much space each category will recover before you delete anything. Browser cleanup covers Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and others in one pass.

The registry cleaner is a separate tab. It scans for orphaned entries, broken file references, and unused keys, and offers to back up the registry first. We treated it cautiously, since registry cleaning rarely produces a measurable speed gain on a modern PC.

Tools: Uninstall, Startup, Disk Analyzer & Drive Wiper

The Tools section is more useful than many users realize. The Uninstall list works like the Windows version but sorts faster, and the Startup manager lets you disable programs that slow your boot. To trim startup load, open Tools then Startup and disable entries you do not recognize.

Disk Analyzer breaks down storage use by file type, and Drive Wiper overwrites free space so deleted files cannot be recovered. A Duplicate Finder rounds out the set.

Driver Updater & Software Updater (Pro)

Two headline Professional features are the Driver Updater and the Software Updater. The Driver Updater scans for outdated device drivers and offers current versions, while the Software Updater flags installed applications with newer releases.

Both work as advertised, but their value depends on how you already manage updates. Windows Update and most apps now handle this automatically, so the convenience is modest.

Health Check & Real-Time Monitoring

Health Check is CCleaner's guided cleanup. It runs one scan across four areas, Privacy, Space, Speed, and Security, then recommends fixes you can apply with one click. For less technical users, it is the easiest way to use the program.

Real-time monitoring is a Professional feature that watches for junk as it accumulates and cleans on a schedule. It is convenient for a hands-off tune-up, though it adds a small background process.

Hands-On Experience: Interface & Performance

The interface is clean and has changed little over the years, which is a strength. Tabs run down the left side, scans report results plainly, and nothing is buried more than two clicks deep.

In daily use, CCleaner is responsive and predictable. The main friction is the steady stream of prompts to upgrade to Professional after scans and inside several tools.

CCleaner Free vs Professional

The Free tier handles the cleaning most people need, while Professional adds automation and the two updaters.

For most users, the Free tier covers the essentials. Professional makes sense mainly for scheduled cleaning or the two updaters.

CCleaner Pricing and Plans

CCleaner Free costs nothing and is the right starting point for nearly everyone. Professional and Professional Plus are paid annual subscriptions, with Plus adding Recuva file recovery and Speccy system information.

Pricing is where we advise caution. On the official plans page, CCleaner Professional lists at $44.95 per year for one device, while Professional Plus lists at $64.95 per year for up to three devices. Those are list prices, though, and CCleaner discounts them frequently, so the price you see varies by region and current offer; check it before you buy. The device counts hold steadier than the dollar amounts: Professional covers one device and Professional Plus up to three, both billed annually. Official purchases also carry a 30-day money-back guarantee for a full refund of the current term.

Is CCleaner Safe? Privacy, Telemetry & the 2017 Incident

This is the question that brings most people to a CCleaner review, and it deserves a direct answer. The current version, from the official site, is safe to use. The caution comes from history and from how the app handles data.

That incident was serious, but it is now nearly a decade old, and Piriform patched it quickly. You can read the breakdown in Cisco Talos' analysis of the CCleaner compromise and the Piriform entry on Wikipedia documenting the attack.

The fairer ongoing concern is telemetry. CCleaner collects usage data by default, and earlier versions drew criticism for making it hard to disable. You can reduce it in the privacy settings, but the program reports back unless you opt out. For independent sentiment, rating pages such as Trustpilot and G2 collect thousands.

Pros and Cons

We weighed the program's strengths against its weaknesses after hands-on testing.

CCleaner Alternatives: BleachBit, CleanMyPC & Windows Tools

CCleaner is not the only cleaner worth considering, and the right choice depends on your platform. For a fuller rundown, see our guide to the best CCleaner alternatives.

BleachBit is the strongest free option. The current release, version 6.0.0, is open source under the GPLv3 license, carries no ads or upsells, and cleans temporary files, browser data, and logs across more than 70 applications on Windows and Linux. It lacks a headline registry cleaner and a driver updater, but it is privacy-friendly with no supply-chain incident in its past.

CleanMyPC was once a popular paid competitor, but MacPaw discontinued it on April 22, 2025, so it is no longer sold or updated. We mention it only because many older comparisons still list it. Our CleanMyPC review and CleanMyMac review cover the MacPaw lineage.

Final Verdict: Is CCleaner Worth It?

CCleaner has earned its longevity by doing the basics well. The Free tier remains one of the easiest ways to free up disk space and tidy a Windows PC, and Health Check makes that accessible to anyone. The current build is safe from the official site, and the 2017 incident is best understood as patched history.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author

Katya Seryabkina

Ukrainian born, and a self-taught computer security expert. I started hacking when I was 14 and can write code in 5 languages, but have no formal technical education. The edge of technology is what keeps me interested. I cover cell phone tracking, spy apps, cybersecurity, the dark web, and certain gadgets for The High Tech Society.